Apple Variety Guide
Our season runs from August through late October. Each variety ripens at its own time and has its own flavor.
These are typical windows for southern Minnesota. Every year runs a week or two early or late depending on the weather, and we pick each variety when it's ripe. If you're after a particular apple and want to know whether we have it yet, email us or send a message on Facebook and we'll tell you.
August
The first apples off the trees, and the ones to eat soonest after you get them home.
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Duchess
Early to mid August
Duchess is a tart and juicy apple. It's good for eating, but excellent for pies and sauces. Duchess will not hold its shape when cooked.
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Beacon
Mid August
Beacon is our earliest variety. It's a fresh tasting apple that's a little bit tart. It's great for either eating or baking.
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State Fair
Mid to late August
State Fair is a sweet apple with a tart flavor. It's great for both eating fresh and cooking. It ripens right around the Minnesota State Fair, which is where it gets its name.
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Zestar
Late August into early September
Zestar has a sweet taste, with hints of brown sugar. The apple is juicy and crisp, and is excellent for eating and cooking.
September
Most of our best known apples come in during these few weeks.
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Wealthy
Early September
Wealthy has a balanced flavor that is slightly tart. This apple is excellent for cooking with.
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Chestnut Crabapple
Early September
Chestnut Crabapple is a large crab apple, just slightly smaller than a regular apple. It is crisp and juicy, with a distinctive flavor many enjoy.
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SweeTango
Early to mid September
SweeTango is a juicy, sweet, and crisp apple with an excellent flavor. This variety came out in 2009 and it has already gained a reputation as an excellent apple. If you like Honeycrisp, give this apple a try.
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Red Baron
Mid September
Red Baron is a crisp, juicy and sweet apple. It's great for fresh eating and cooking.
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McIntosh
Mid to late September
McIntosh is an excellent apple for eating fresh. It's also a great choice for cider makers.
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Cortland
Mid to late September
Cortland is a good multipurpose apple. Its distinctive white flesh and slight tropical flavor have made it a popular choice.
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Honeycrisp
Late September
This apple is crisp and juicy, with a well balanced sweet flavor. Honeycrisp is an extremely popular apple that is famous for its great flavor.
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Empire
Late September
Empire apples are sweet and full flavored, with a crisp and juicy texture. These apples have a beautiful distinctive deep red color. This is an excellent apple for all uses.
Late September & October
These are the keepers. Most will hold in your fridge for months.
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Haralson
Late September into early October
This multipurpose apple is another popular variety. Haralson is a hard, crisp, and tart apple. If you're looking for a new apple, give Haralson a try.
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Sweet Sixteen
Late September into early October
Sweet Sixteen is a crispy and juicy apple with a very unique taste. It has a red licorice candy-like flavor, which makes this an excellent dessert apple.
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Prairie Spy
Early to mid October
Prairie Spy is an excellent choice for your cooking needs. When cooked, this apple will hold its shape. Additionally, Prairie Spy will stay good for a long time. It can last up to several months in your fridge.
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Regent
Early to mid October
Regent is a juicy and crisp apple with an outstanding balanced flavor. It's excellent for both cooking and eating.
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SnowSweet
Mid October
SnowSweet apples have a well-balanced sweet and tart taste. It's an excellent apple for fresh eating.
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Photo coming soon
Honeygold
Mid October
Honeygold has a honey sweet flavor with a distinctive golden skin, and has a taste similar to Honeycrisp. This apple is another popular choice. Honeygold has very tender skin and is best handled with care.
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Fireside
Mid to late October
Fireside is a very large apple that has a sweet flavor. It's a great choice for eating and cooking.
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Keepsake
Late October
Keepsake is a smaller apple with firm and crisp flesh, and is our last variety to ripen. It has a Honeycrisp-like flavor, and is a popular choice among late season apples. If you love Honeycrisp, be sure to give this apple a try.
Not sure which one you want?
That's what the samples are for. Come find us at a market and try whatever we have on hand, for free. Tell us what you like or what you're baking and we'll point you at the right apple.